NCT's Jaehyun has cleared up a dating rumor that erupted almost as quickly as it started. After the idol posted beach vacation photos and videos on his social media on the 26th, fans noticed a woman with long straight hair and a white bikini jumping into the ocean beside him — and speculation took off from there. Jaehyun himself stepped in to set the record straight, commenting "My dearest cousin" on the post, confirming the mystery woman is his younger cousin.
How the Rumor Started
According to TV Daily, the vacation content showed Jaehyun enjoying the ocean — surfing board in hand, abs on full display — alongside relaxed, happy-looking footage. It was a brief clip of him and the unidentified woman jumping into the sea side by side that caught fans' attention. Because the woman's identity wasn't initially clear, speculation — particularly among international fans — spread quickly, with some wondering whether Jaehyun had gone public with a relationship.
SM Producer and Jaehyun Both Respond
As the chatter grew, an SM Entertainment producer stepped in via the comments section. According to Sports Donga, the producer wrote that Jaehyun had simply been making a good memory with his younger cousin in a rare break from a grueling schedule, adding that it was upsetting to think about him reading the comments. Jaehyun then confirmed it himself with that brief but definitive reply:
"My dearest cousin"
That was all it took. The rumor was over almost as fast as it began. Jaehyun enlisted in the military last year and is currently on a break from his mandatory service — making this wholesome cousin beach trip a welcome slice of downtime for the NCT member. Fans have largely responded with warmth, relieved the situation was resolved so quickly and directly by Jaehyun himself.
